A Hiking We Will Go...

It's official...Anya survived her first camping trip...and boy did she love it! The dirt, the rocks, the lovey dovey attention, yummy camping food, you name it this girl loved it. I'm not going to lie, I was a bit nervous bringing my newly-turned-one year old camping. Tent camping, not cabin camping. But I looked at it as if she was my fourth child. By then the baby will be toted around everywhere we go.

It was our first annual Harrington Family camping trip. I grew up camping with my grandparents, family, and cousins, and I am so happy to know that Anya will have similar experiences growing up. My family enjoys escaping from the busyness and media centered world from time to time, to focus on things that are more important. We saw God's beautiful creation during our hiking trips...even saw a snake in the water....yikes! Our campground was seriously the best location in the whole park. We had three sites and a huge tree that provided some much needed shade during the day (temps were near 100degrees).

I am so thankful we brouhgt Anya's water table along. She had a blast splashing the water and tried very hard to climb inside it!

Each day a different family had to plan/ prepare the meals. Who knew pancakes made over the campfire would be so delish?! We made buffalo and BBQ wings over the fire, in the dark...not a good combination for someone who hates raw chicken! Next year I think I might pre-cook the chicken???

There were a few times we escaped from the camping world to check out the cutest town ever in Brown County. Us girls loved going into the shops. Our guys went into a brewery so we decided that would make the perfect opportunity for a baby photo shoot. Afterwards we were spoiled with huge ice cream cones. This is what I got after asking for one scoop on a sugar cone:-)

Anya tried ice cream for the first time...her face and my hands were covered. This town has so much character and charm.

Thank you so much to all of our Veteran's and soldiers past and present. Thank you for your service and love for our country. We are so blessed by you!!!!

Mother's Day and Walking on her own

As Anya becomes more and more mobile, I am finding it more and more difficult to squeeze in blogging time. I recently challeged myself to stay off the computer/ phone while she is awake to enjoy her without these distractions. During naps I want to try to set aside more time for blogging to keep record of these awesome days with a growing tot! Last week on Mother's Day we went to a nearby park and had a picnic. The weather was 70s and sunny~ favorite weather! Josh's parents, my parents, and Auntie Kates met up with us there (we're so lucky they are nearby!) The guys grilled some brats on the charcoal grill while us ladies played with Anya at the park. She loves to swing and go down the slide! She even went down on her own. This girl is growing too fast!!!

On another note... Little Miss is doing this:

Anya officially graduated up to the "walkers" room at church. My baby is growing up!

Insta- Pics

Anya loves taco night!

Daddy made Anya this rockin' kitchen set for her first birthday!

Eating some yummy "ice cream"!

Pixie girl!

My sis Katie made an awesome "camping" cake for her BF Tommy's graduation party!

Anya plays with her Water Table morning, noon, and night! Thank you Tommy!!!

Anya was so wiped after playing a ton at church! Time for a car nap:-)

I figured out a way to block off the patio so C-Man can be leash-free. He loves lying on the cool patio...he's wearing a winter coat!

My every day....girl and pup all day long! I love my life!

She finally let me put the blue hat on her! Grandma got this for her!

We DJed a wedding last night and have another one tonight. Thank you God for providing!!!

Mr. DJ

The wedding was a Polish/ Italian wedding. This was used for a Traditional Blessing.

Pretty wedding!

SUYL: New Mommy Link- Up

Hi there! If you are visiting from "Kelly's Korner"...welcome to my blog!!! If you are a reader of my blog already, "SUYL" means "Show us your life" and "Kelly's Korner" is a wonderful blog written by an amazing lady! LOL...I don't want to lose you;-) I never knew how much my life would actually change once I became "Mommy" to Anya Violet. My hubby and I had been together for 11 years prior to little miss, and now it's hard to even remember life before her. A friend recently asked me, "What did you and Josh do together before Anya?" And honestly it was hard for me to respond. I couldn't remember. It was as if it had been years and years of life with Anya, but in reality we have only been parents for a year. We did go on many spontaneous dates, vacations to Florida, and I was a teacher full time. Married life prior to Anya was great, but now it's so much more fulfilling.

Lately I've been reflecting a lot on how thankful to God I am that He has given me my miracle baby AND He has provided a way for me to be a stay at home mommy (SAHM) for her. There is no career in the world that is more fulfilling, more joyful, more rewarding than what I get to do!!!! I am so blessed to be able to make her breakfast every morning, read her stories before nap, change and wash those dirty cloth diapers, and capture every new milestone on camera. Not only that, but God is allowing me to use my giftedness to serve my husband as a housewife. I find so much joy in making him special treats to take to work, make homemade meals, and keep up with our home.

Being a SAHM has also allowed me to get more involved at church and become more connected to my other SAHM friends. I'm able to serve at our church's monthly women's ministry where we strive to meet new women and help them get connected/ build relationships. (I can't imagine doing this Mommy thing alone, which is why I'm involved with this ministry). I've also met many other new friends through my women's Bible study on Tuesday mornings....it's been great!

Yes our family has to make sacrifices to make the whole "SAHM" work. We are living with no cable TV (we watch hulu.com shows and our $20 in-home antenna picks up local channels), pay as you go cell phones (cell phones for emergency and skype on ipods for use when near Wi-fi), and camping-only vacations. I can't even begin to tell you how living more old-fashioned has improved our marriage and family dynamic. Life could not be any better!

Dear Anya, Happy 1st Birthday!

Dear Anya, It's so hard for me to believe you are one year old now! It seems like just yesterday you were placed into my arms for the first time, or learning to sit up on your own, or army crawling all over the place. Seriously, every month went faster and faster! I can't put into words how wonderful this past year has been for Daddy and I. It's hard to remember life before you, because now everything we do and think about revolves around you! Last year on this special day Daddy and I were headed to the hospital to meet you. The tulips were just starting to bloom. (What a difference a year makes. This year they are almost finished blooming!) It's also about 40 degrees warmer than last year! At 12 months you: -Sleeping through the night (7:00pm-6:30am) -Drinking milk from a sippy cup -Starting to stand independently; you've taken a few courageous steps on your own -Have six teeth (4 top, 2 bottom) one more on bottom left is about to poke through Things you love: -Talking up a storm: and just strung your first two words together..."Hi Dadda"! -Bathtime -"Reading" books in your crib -Nursery at church -Water table -FOOD, glorious food! You will steal food out of anyones hand! -Paci! We are going to start weaning you off of it though. This will be a sad, sad day for you! Things you dislike: -Raw tomatoes and red pepper -Snuggling; all you want to do is play! -When you head falls forward when snoozing in the car -When I brush your teeth (It's actually really difficult to think of things you do not like!) We celebrated your first birthday on May 3rd (yesterday) with both sets of Grandparents and Auntie Kates. It was in the upper 80s so we spent the day outside. Grandma H and I made you an applesauce cake, courtesy of Pinterest, and it was a total hit. We ate pizza outside in the backyard to celebrate your special day. You even got to open a few more presents. Everyone witnessed you take your first steps! I even got in videotaped. That never happens that perfectly! We were all so proud of you! I love you Anya! Love, Mommy Here are some fun photos from your first birthday: